Bridgestone to sponsor golf event in Akron

Akron. Ohio–The Bridgestone brand will take over the title sponsorship of the World Golf Championships tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron beginning next year as part of a five-year deal that runs through 2010.

The Bridgestone Invitational will replace the NEC Invitational as part of the World Golf Championships, which are sanctioned and organised by the International Federation of PGA Tours. The agreement was announced Aug. 22 during the final round of the NEC event in Akron.

Bridgestone officials look at the sponsorship as a global…